BY Rafael Vela from theboysblog.com
Dallas finally gets its first crack at the Redskins this Sunday.
Washington is wobbly, losing two of its last three and winning the
third in overtime. Dallas, on the other hand, has a chance to complete
a sweep of the division if it defends its home turf.
When Washington Has the Ball
The Redskins suffered a rash of injuries to their offensive line
early this year and made some hasty roster moves to overcome them.
Washington signed Jason Fabini off waivers and traded with the Jets for disgruntled G Pete Kendall. These moves have saved the team, as Kendall has filled the left guard spot and Fabini has manned RG, allowing Todd Wade to slide wide to RT.
They and veterans Chris Samuels (LT) and Casey Rabach (C) are the foundation for the offense and the main reason I am wary of this game. They have gelled in recent weeks, allowing Clinton Portis to run for over 360 yards the past two weeks. They also form a stout pass pocket, allowing young Jason Campbell the time to execute play action passes and pick apart the short and intermediate zones.
Washington’s receivers have had a poor ‘07 as a group, catching
their first TD passes of the season against Philadelphia. They came to
life because the ‘Skins running game was so effective. Washington likes
to run left, behind Samuels and Kendall. Samuels matchup with Cowboys
RDE Chris Canty will be a bellweather for the
Cowboys’ D. Canty is on a fast track to stardom. He’s become a rock
against runs and has started to show some push and slaloming skills as
a pass rusher.
Former Chiefs OC Al Saunders calls the Redskins
plays but you won’t see the sweeps and tosses that Larry Johnson used
to effectively against the Cowboys two years ago. Kendall and Fabini
don’t run well in space so Washington uses a lot of zone blocking,
using their bulk and smarts to create running lanes for Portis. Portis
does get to the corner quickly, so the Dallas OLBs will have to play
tough on the corners. If Demarcus Ware and Greg Ellis can hold the
perimeters, Dallas should be able to tee off on Campbell.
That’s if they can hold their ground.
Saunders and Joe Gibbs run fairly simple game plans
for Campbell. Run first, keep the linebackers honest, then hit the
flats and intermediate zones behind them once they begin to favor the
run. Washington does not show a deep threat. Antwaan Randle-El averages over 16 yards per reception but has only 32 catches this year. The bigger disappointment has been Santana Moss, who does not have even 300 yard receiving. Consider that Terrell Owens has more receiving yards (855 to 820) and TDs (8 to 0) than Randle El and Moss combined.
The run sets up Campbell’s passing game, which consists of Chris Cooley
working the short zones and lots of short crossing routes and passes to
the flanks. Portis has put Campell in a lot of second and short
situations lately, which make these passes very effective.
Consider that the Philly game plan is exactly the one Washington
used with great effect against Dallas last November in their 22-19 win.
Gibbs put the Cowboys’ linebackers on oscillating cycle, pulling them
to the line to stop Portis, then throwing over and between them.
First down will be key this week. If Dallas can slow Portis and put
the Redskins in second and longs, they’ll control the game. Otherwise,
the Redskins could rack up time of possession, as they did against the
Eagles.
When Dallas Has the Ball
Gregg Williams is a fine coordinator and he was
able to rebuild his secondary over the offseason, which allowed him to
play more man to man and blitz more often, a tonic to his weak front
that ranked among the league worst in sack totals last year.
His defense keyed the team’s 4-2 start but was hobbled by injuries to CBs Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot against New England in a 52-7 blowout. Washington had the Eagles under wraps for three quarters until S Sean Taylor had
to leave the game. Philly scored four second half TDs, two on long pass
plays in the middle of the field against Taylor’s backup Pierson Priolieu.
Williams did not back off blitzing against opponents after his
secondary was wiped out. He knows his team does not generate a
consistent rush with four men. Therefore, look for more Redskins
blitzes this week.
On the flip side, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys don’t come out
winging the ball, as they did against the Giants last week. Dallas did
use a lot of two TE, two RB sets early to set up play action later, but
with Taylor out, I see no need to wait. I expect we’ll see lots of
three WR and two TE sets on early downs with Tony Romo
going vertical, looking for an early lead. Dallas has scored on its
opening drive in both games since the bye and I see no reason why they
will back off this week, being at home.
Prediction:
Can the Cowboys slow Clinton Portis down? If they can, they can
make this an early afternoon. Washington’s defense has surrendered 105
points the last three games, exactly 35 per. That’s just above Dallas
average of 34 points per game. I don’t see a problem for Dallas
moving the ball or scoring points, so long as the turnover bug stays
away.
If Portis gets untracked, the Redskins can play keep away and stay close.
I see Dallas hitting its average, but having to wait a little to get there.
Cowboys 35, Redskins 17
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